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Corn planting wraps up

The finish line for this year’s planting season is quickly approaching, and corn is emerging at a lightning-quick pace. The USDA’s Crop Progress report showed just 4 percent of corn remaining to be planted and 76 percent of corn already emerged.

With 96 percent of corn in the ground across the country, producers are well above the five-year average of 81 percent and last year’s pace of 75 percent. Pennsylvania reported the lowest percentage of planted corn at 75 percent.

Emerged corn is also well above the five-year average of 48 percent. Wisconsin reported the lowest percentage of emerged corn at 37 percent.

Crop ConditionsCorn conditions are exceptional when compared to last year. Currently, 77 percent of corn has been rated in “good” to “excellent” condition, compared to 63 percent rated in these conditions on May 31, 2011.

North Dakota reported the best conditions, with just 1 percent of corn in “poor condition” and 88 percent in “good” to “excellent” condition. Other states reporting positive crop condition include Minnesota, Iowa, and Colorado.

States reporting highest percentages of corn rated in “poor” to “very poor” condition include Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Soybean progressLike corn, soybean planting is progressing rapidly. Currently, 76 percent of soybeans have been planted, well above the national average of 42 percent and last year’s report of 35 percent. Mississippi reported the highest percentage of planted soybeans with 83 percent in the ground. Overall, half of the states have reported at least 80 percent of soybeans planted.

Soybeans have also emerged in all reporting states, with a national average of 35 percent of soybeans emerging.

Early harvest dates? Reuters reported a look at this week’s grain markets and with increased heat forecast for the Midwest Grain Belt, producers can look forward to a better harvest. Meteorologist Joel Widenor believes it is too early to say if this week’s heat will continue into June, when some of the corn that was planted early in the Midwest could be pollinating. Read more.